Glider



April 3, 1934 P. a e. ERICSONY GLIDER Filed April, 22, 1932 I72 7" Phi @172. 7166070 Patented Apr. 3, 1934 PATENT OFFICE GLIDER Philip E. G. Ericson, St.

Charles, 111., assignor to The W. H. Howell Company, Geneva, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application April 22, 1932, Serial No. 606,?53-

9 Claims.

This invention relates to a glider having a stand. and seat construction such that each unit may be folded down to occupy a minimum of space for packing, shipping, or storage, and such that, when set up for use, the seat may swing back and forth with a minimum of friction, and without moving endwise in so doing. These primary objects are supplemented by others having to do generally with simplicity of strength, and

construction, ease of assembly, erection, and ad.-

justment, and reduction of manufacturing costs to a minimum. Certain of the features of invention herein set forth were first disclosed in my application filed December 8, 1930, Serial No. 500,850,11ow Patent 1,858,989 of which this case is a continuation-in-part.

A suggestive embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherem--- Figure 1 is a perspective View of the glider with one end taken down and partially folded into the position which it occupies when packed for shipment;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevation of one end of the glider;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section on an enlarged scale through the upper end of one of the suspenders and parts associated therewith; and

Fig. 4 is a detail in transverse section taken my on line 4. of Fig. 2.

In the present glider is comprised a stand wherein is suspended a seat adapted for swinging movements in a forwardly and rearwardly direction. Each unit is foldable to occupy a 3 minimum of space, as when packed for storage or shipment. In addition, the stand which is somewhat longer than the seat is foldable in such a manner as to reduce its length to that of the seat, thereby facilitating the reception of both units into a single container whose length and width is substantially that of both accommodatedstand and seat.

.Taking up first the stand: This comprises two vertical end frames A, exactly alike, connected by a horizontal cross frame B. Each end frame includes at the base a foot piece 10 from which upstand a pair of vertical braces 11 of angle iron supporting at their upper ends a top piece 12. The foot and top pieces which are deso sirably made of angle iron extend front and rear a distance sufficient to afford (l) to the stand a solid support, and (2) to the seat a suspension at widely separated points. It is preferred that each angle bar used for the foot and top pieces beso disposed as to present one vertical flange 14 in an outermost position, extending upwardly from the former and downwardly from the latter. As by means of rivets the several parts of each end frame may be joined immovably and inseparably together.

The horizontal cross frame which interconnects the end frames consists, by preference, of two bars 15 of angle iron joined at the ends to head pieces 16. Pivotally joined to each bar near its opposite ends at 17 is a link 18, and at 19 a second link 26. The latter links which are a trifle longer are pivoted to the bars a short distance further from the bar ends, and are adapted to lie within the angle of the bars beneath horizontal inwardly extending flanges thereof. These longer links connect pivotally at 21 with parallelly extending flanges of the vertical braces 11 of the end frames close to the bottom ends thereof (see Fig. 2). The remaining links 18 which are pivotally connected to these same vertical braces at points somewhat above the base, extend angularly between the horizontal cross frame and vertical end frames and so serve as braces to maintain the parts rigidly in this relationship.

In thus interconnecting the end frames and cross frame of the stand, I find it convenient to use angle bars for certain of the parts, and to so position the flanges thereof as to facilitate the pivotal jointure in the manner suggested. This obviates the need of corner pieces or other adapting parts and permits at the same time of a ready folding of the several frames relative to each other, whenever desired, for purposes of packing, shipping, etc. The positions of the end frames when set up and folded are illustrated at the left and right ends, respectively, of Fig. 1. When erected, bolts 22 may be inserted through aligned openings in the links 20 and bars 15 whereby to prevent collapse of the structure.

Before passing on to the seat, attention is called to the character of the movement which the end frames execute with relation to the cross frame when the stand is knocked down. As shown, each end frame, in swinging to folded position, is guided by the dual link connections so that it is movable through a fixed path to a point inwardly of the ends of the cross frame, parallel therewith and adjacent thereto. The longer links lie inside of the vertical flanges of the bars 15, the shorter links to the outside thereof, and the connection of these links to the vertical braces 11 is preferably to inner and outer faces, respective-j 1y, of these flanges. By spacing alike the braces of the end frames and bars of the cross frame,

such a pivotal connection with the several links is facilitated, and assures freedom from interference when the frames are swung relatively to each other in the manner pointed out.

Passing now to the seat: Here I have shown a rectangular frame C supporting a spring structure 25 adapted to receive one or more cushions (not shown). This frame comprises front and rear longitudinal rails 26 desirably of angle iron with depending flanges outermost. Near each end of the two rails, as at 27, are pivoted extension bars 28 which depend angularly, and then continue horizontally beyond the ends of the seat frame for a slight distance. To maintain these extension bars in the relation described, I provide links 29 pivoted to the seat frame as at 30 and each connecting pivotally at 31 with a strut 32, desirably of angle iron, which aligns vertically with a corner of the seat frame. The lower end of each strut is joined pivotally at 33 with the proximate extension bar. Affixed to the two struts at each end of the seat frame are bars 35, interconnected by a sheet 36, supporting at their top ends an arm rest 37 having a horizontal flange which overlies the top piece of the adjacent end frame. The rear bars 35 may be inclined rear- Wardly, to support between them a back 38 for the seat. As shown, this back is connected pivotally to the bars, and by means of clamping nuts 39, it may be maintained in a desired position of angular adjustment.

When the seat is folded, the back is, of course, disconnected from its supports, as indicated at the right end of Fig. 1. The two ends of the seat are then swung down and inwardly to the position shown, and in executing this movement the struts and links 29 together with the extension bars form a dual guiding means by which to determine the ultimate position of the folded parts. When erected, the struts resume their vertical positions and through the instrumentality of the links 29 which abut the under face of the horizontal flanges on the rails 26, support the seat frame in response to a suspension force applied to ends of the extension bars as will now be explained.

Flat bars 40 which are twisted to resist lateral deflection in every direction are by preference utilized as suspenders by which to support the seat swingingly in the stand. The opposite ends of each suspender are aligned in the same plane with each other, and in parallelism with the flanges 14, depending from the top piece 12, and with ears 41 which are turned laterally at the ends of the extension bars. Pivotal connections are arranged between the two ends of each suspender and the adjacent flanges and ears of the top pieces and extension bars, respectively. Desirably such connections are of an anti-friction character, and for this purpose ball-bearing assemblies are employed, one for each such connection. As shown, each such assembly includes a sheet metal housing 42 bent upon itself to enclose inner and outer raceways 43, and 44: between which balls 45 are confined to serve as bearings. The ends. of the housing are rested against a flat side of the proximate end of the suspender adjacent one end thereof to which it is amxed as by rivets 46. Passing through the inner raceway which serves as a hub is a bolt 47 which extends also through the depending flange of the top piece or lateral ear of the extension bar, as the case may be, to complete the pivotal connection between the suspenders and the seat and stand units of the glider construction hereinbefore described.

The advantages of the foldable stand have already been commented upon, as have also the desirable features of the foldable seat. As suggested in Fig. 1, these two units, when knocked down, are susceptible of accommodation in a container of compact size. To bring the stand and seat to folded condition requires merely a disconnection of each suspender from the extension bar (or the top piece) and withdrawal of the locking bolts 22. Plainly, therefore, the operations of taking down or setting up the glider are simple and expeditious. When erected and in use, the seat may be swung with ease in a forwardly and rearwardly direction, but not endwise due to the resistance offered to any such motion by (1) the substantial lengthwise bearing of each ballbearing assembly upon its pivot bolt, and (2) the non-deflectable character of the suspenders employed. Because of these improved features of construction, the seat may swing easily in the intended direction free of interference with the remaining structural parts of the glider.

I claim:

1. In a glider, the combination of a seat frame having depending end extension bars with laterally turned cars at their extremities, said ears extending in parallel planes transversely of the seat frame, a stand comprising a horizontal cross frame connecting two vertical end frames each supporting a top angle bar disposed transversely of the glider, relatively stiff suspender bars extending between the ends of the top angle bars of the stand and the end extension bars of the seat frame, and means connecting each suspender at its upper end with the stand top bar below the horizontal flange thereof and connecting each suspender at its lower end with the laterally turned ear at the extremity of one extension bar of the seat frame, the connecting means at the top and bottom of the suspender bars being such that the seat frame is free to swing transversely of the stand but not otherwise.

2. In a glider, the combination of a seat frame having depending end extension bars with laterally turned ears at their extremities that lie in parallel vertical planes, a stand comprising a horizontal cross frame connecting two vertical end frames, each end frame supporting a top bar disposed transversely of the glider, relatively stiff suspender bars extending between the ends of the top bars of the stand and the end extension bars of the seat frame, and means connecting each suspender at its upper end with the stand and connecting each suspender at its lower end with the laterally turned car at the extremity of one extension bar of the seat frame, the connecting means at the top and bottom of said suspender bars being such that the seat frame is free to swing at such points of connection in a direction transversely of the stand but not otherwise.

3. In a glider, the combination of a stand consisting of a horizontal cross frame connecting with two vertical end frames each having a top piece. with a vertical wall extending transversely of the glider, a fiat rod suspender having its upper end portion disposed parallel with the top piece and connected with the vertical walls thereof for swinging movement in substantially the same plane, the rod having, a twist and terminating at its lower end portion in the same plane as at its upper end whereby the rod is strengthened to resist bending in adirection transverse to its plane of swinging, a seat frame positioned between the end frames and over the cross frame of the stand, and extension bars extended from opposite ends of the seat frame and laterally turned at their outer extremities to lie in planes transversely of the glider, and means connecting the lower ends of the suspenders with the turned extremities of the end extension bars whereby to complete a swinging support for the seat frame.

4. In a glider, the combination of a stand consisting of a horizontal cross frame connecting with two vertical end frames, each having an angle iron top bar extending transversely of the glider, a flat rod suspender having its upper end portion disposed parallel with the top bar and connected therewith for swinging movement in the plane of a vertical flange of the top bar, the rod having a twist and terminating at its lower end portion in the same plane as at its upper end whereby the rod is strengthened to resist bending in a direction transverse to its plane of swinging, a seat frame positioned between the end frames and over the cross frame of the stand, end extension bars at opposite ends of the seat frame and laterally turned at their outer extremities to lie in planes transversely of the glider, and means connecting the lower ends of the suspenders with the turned extremities of the end extensions whereby to complete a swinging support for the seat frame.

5. In a glider, the combination of a stand comprising a horizontal cross frame connecting with two vertical end frames each having a top piece with a vertical wall extending transversely of the glider, a seat frame positioned between the end frames and over the cross frame of the stand, and suspension means connecting the seat frame to the stand comprising four rods, two being depended from each top piece, a ball bearing assembly including inner and outer raceways carried by the upper end of each rod, a suspension means mounting the inner raceway of each assembly and connected to the inner side of the vertical wall of the top piece near each end thereof, and similar ball bearing assembly carried by the lower end of each suspender rod, a pair of bars having laterally turned ends extended from the ends of the seat frame and means mounting the inner raceway of the proximate ball bearing assembly and secured to the laterally turned ends of said bars, whereby the seat frame is supported upon the stand for lateral swinging movement only.

6. A glider comprising a stand having end frames, each formed with a top piece with a vertical wall, a seat having end extensions each terminating in a vertical lateral ear, and suspenders between the end frames and seat and connected pivotally to the vertical walls of the one and vertical turned ears of the other, each suspender comprising a fiat twisted metal bar the extremities of which are disposed in one and the same plane at which points connections are made with the stand and seat.

7. In a glider, the combination of a suspension rod, a ball bearing assembly at each end thereof provided with ball races, and a housing having sides passing over said ball races and provided with extended ends placed face to face and flatwise against a side of the suspender bar, the two ends of each housing and the suspender bar being rigidly secured together by common fastening means.

8. A glider comprising a stand from which depends suspenders, a seat frame having a horizontal flanged rail, a bar pivoted to one side of the flange of said rail near one end thereof and extending downwardly and outwardly for connection with the suspenders, a compound link pivotally connected at one end to said bar and at its other end to the flange of said rail, means to limit pivotal movement of said compound link, whereby to support the bar in a fixed position relative to the seat frame, and a side frame for said seat frame carried by said compound link.

9. A glider comprising a stand, suspenders depending from said stand, a seat frame having longitudinal rails of angle iron with an uppermost horizontal flange, bars pivoted near the ends of said seat frame and depending therefrom for supporting connection with said suspenders, a side frame for said seat frame pivotally carried by said depending bars, and a link pivotally connected to said side frame and to said seat frame and positioned to abut the under side of the horizontal flange of the angle iron rail, whereby to support the side frames at substantially right angles to said seat frame when suspended from the stand.

PHILIP E. G. ERICSON. 

